A photon detecting 3D imaging sensor device for detecting a distance information for pixels in an image includes an array of detector units. Each detector unit is configured to receive a light signal pulse and to provide a detection signal pulse on receipt of the light signal pulse. The 3D imaging device further includes a pulse selection unit including a decision tree with one or more stages. Each of the stages has one or more decision makers which are cascaded to propagate the earliest detection signal pulse of one of a respective detector unit as a timing signal. The 3D imaging device further includes a time-to-digital converter configured to receive the timing signal and to provide a time stamp depending on the timing signal. The time stamp indicates the distance information for a pixel of the image.
Legal claims defining the scope of protection, as filed with the USPTO.
2. The 3D imaging sensor device according to claim 1, wherein the decision makers of the decision tree are each configured to select from each of two or more of the detection signal pulses the one of the two or more of the detection signal pulses which has been received earliest and to apply the respective earliest detection signal pulses on a decision maker output.
3. The 3D imaging sensor device according to claim 2, wherein the decision maker outputs of two of the decision makers of one of the stages are coupled with inputs of a further one of the decision makers of a next one of the stages.
4. The 3D imaging sensor device according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the decision makers includes two coupled flipflops each of which is configured to be triggered by one of the detection signal pulses and to block the respective other of the flipflops being triggered by the other of the detection signal pulses, wherein an output of the triggered flipflop is applied on the decision maker output.
5. The 3D imaging sensor device according to claim 4, wherein the outputs of the respective flipflops are stored in a latch which provides an address information indicating which of the detection signal pulses has been the earliest detection signal pulse.
6. The 3D imaging sensor device according to claim 1, wherein photodiodes are arranged in an array of photodiodes so that a single light signal pulse reflected on an object is capable of interacting with a plurality of the photodiodes of the array of photodiodes.
7. The 3D imaging sensor device according to claim 6, wherein the photodiodes include one or more single-photon avalanche diodes.
8. The 3D imaging sensor device according to claim 7, wherein the detector units are each associated to one of a plurality of single-photon avalanche diodes of the array of photodiodes, wherein each detector unit is configured to quench the associated single-photon avalanche diode after receipt of a light signal pulse.
9. The 3D imaging sensor device according to claim 1, wherein the time-to-digital converter is configured to continuously run, wherein the time stamp indicates a counter value depending on the timing signal.
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February 9, 2018
October 29, 2024
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